Asparagus pack



Nov. 15, 1949 R. c. ZUCKERMAN ASPARAGUS PACK Filed Aug. 6, 1947 Fig. 1

INVENTOR R. C. Zucfierman Patented Nov. 15, 194 9 Roscoe C. Zuckerman, Stockton, Calif. I

Application August 6, 1947, Serial No. 766,700

This invention is directed to a canned asparagus.

When asparagus, particularly green asparagus, is loose acked in cans and cooked, it becomes very fragile with the result that during subsequent handling, shipping, etc. the tips are broken by impact with the sides and top of the can. As

novel pack for a result of this breakage, the product presents an undesirable appearance for use, especially in dishes wherein full length asparagus is desirable.

The present invention provides a method of packing asparagus which retains the same in the can against lateral or longitudinal shifting motion, with the result that the above mentioned breakage is prevented.

The invention accomplishes this result by a novel retaining assembly comprising a compression cap engaged over the upper or tip end portion of the bunched asparagus in the can, and a cushion cap engaged with the compression cap; the latter preventing lateral displacement, while the cushion cap prevents longitudinal displacement, of the asparagus.

A further object of the invention is to produce a practical pack and one which will be exceedingly effective for the purpose for which it is designed.

These objects, are accomplished by meansof such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an exploded View of the elements of the asparagus pack; such elements being shown in section.

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional elevation showing the pack asin use.

Referring now more particularly to the characters of reference on the drawings, the improved asparagus pack comprises an elongated compression cap I of generally frusto-conical configuration for a round can, and of generally frustopyramidal configuration for a square can. The frusto-conical type is shown in the present embodiment.

The compression cap I is of an outside diameter at its lower open end 2, such that said cap may engage downward into the initially open end of the can 3 in which the asparagus is tobe packed. The asparagus stalks 4, for each pack, are first bunched together and then the compression cap I is engaged over the upper end portion of such bunch in closely surrounding and compressing relation to the tips 5 of the asparagus stalks 4. In practice it is contemplated that the compression cap I will be of a length to extend down- 13 Claims. (Cl. 99-471) 2 wardly on the stalks 4 approximately one-half the length thereof. 7

After the bunch of asparagus stalks 4 has had the compression cap I applied thereon, a cushion cap 6 is engaged over said compression cap I from above. The cushion cap ,6 has the same taper as the compression cap l but is of slightly less diameter at corresponding points in the length thereof. Asa result the cushion cap 6 can symmetrically engage the compression cap I but cannot shift into full register therewith leav ing a space 1 between the upper end 8 of said compression cap and the upper end 9 of the cushion cap.

After the caps l and 6 have been applied to a bunch of asparagus stalks 4 in' the manner described the assembly is engaged within the can 5 of the asparagus, which are quite fragile after the cooking operation, cannot have lateral motion by reason of the compression cap I, and the stalks 4 cannot have longitudinal motion intl ie can by reason of the cushion cap 6 cooperating with said compression cap I in the manner described. Therefore, in handling, shipping, etc. the product is not damaged, and when the can is opened for use the asparagus remains full length andattractive in appearance; j The compression cap I and the'cushion cap 6 will preferably be fabricated from a moisture proof parchmentlike material;

From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that there has been producedsuch a pack as substantially fulfills the objects of the invention as set forth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferred construction of the pack,

still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claims. 1

Having thus described the invention,1the' following is claimed'as new and useful and upon which Letters Patent is desired:

1. An asparagus pack comprising, in combination with a container closed at opposite ends, a plurality of asparagus stalks bunched side by side in the container lengthwise thereof, and separate retaining means embracing the entire tip end portion of the bunch of asparagus stalks in compressing relation to the tips thereof.

2. An asparagus pack comprising, in combination with a container closed at opposite ends, a plurality of asparagus stalks bunched side by side in the container lengthwise thereof, and separate retaining .means embracing the entire tip. end portion .of the ibunch of asparagus stalks in compressing relation therewith; said retaining means bearing along a substantially continuous line about the container on the inside.

.other tapered cap engaged with the compression 3. An asparagus pack comprising, in combination with a container closed at opposite .ends, a plurality of asparagus stalks bunched side by side in the container lengthwise thereoii'and separate retaining means embracing the entire tip end portion of the bunch of asparagus stalks in compressing relation therewith; said retaining means bearing along a substantially continuous line about the container on the inside, and also bearing against the adjacent end of the container.

4. An asparagus pack comprising, in combina-- tion with a container closed at opposite ends, a plurality of asparagus stalks bunched side by side in the container lengthwise thereof, and retaining means surrounding the tip end portion of the bunch of asparagusstalks in compressing relation to the tips thereof; .said retaining means including a tapered cap engaged over said tip end portion of'the bunch of stalks.

'5. An asparagus pack comprising, in combination with a containerclosed at opposite ends, a plurality of asparagus stalks bunched side'by side in the container lengthwise thereof, and retaining means surrounding the tip end portion of the bunch of asparagus stalksin compressing relation to the tips thereof; said retaining means includinga .tapered .cap engaged ,over said tip end portion of the bunch of stalks, and a cushion cap engaged with the compression cap.

6. An asparagus pack comprising, in combination with a container closed at opposite ends, a plurality of asparagus stalks bunched side by sidein the rcontainerlengthwise thereof, and retaming means surrounding the tip end portion of the bunch of asparagus .stalks in compressing relation to the tips thereof; said retaining means including a tapered cap engaged .over said tip end portion of thebunchof stalks, and a cushion cap engaged .with the compression cap, the compression cap bearing in part against the sides of the container and the cushion cap bearing against the adjacent end of the container.

7. An asparagus pack comprising, in combination with a can closedat opposite ends, a plurality of asparagus stalks bunched side by side in thecan lengthwise thereof, a tapered cap "engaged overthetipendportion of the bunch of as-- paragusstalks, in compressing relation thereto, and another tapered cap engaged with .thecom- ,pressioncap .incushion relation to said end portionof the. bunch.

.8. ,Anasparagus .pack comprising, in combination. with a can closedat opposite .ends, a pinrality of asparagus. stalks bunched side by sidein the can lengthwise thereof, a tapered cap. engaged overthe tip-end portion of the bunchiof asparagus .stalks,1in compressing relation thereto, and another tapered caprengaged with thelcompression cap in cushion relation to said end portion of the bunch; the compression cap bearing adja cent its lower end with the sides of the can.

' 10. An asparagus pack comprising, in combination with .a can closed at opposite ends, a plurality of asparagus stalks bunched side by side in the can lengthwise thereof, a tapered cap engaged over the tip end portion of the bunch of asparagus stalks, in compressing relation thereto, and another tapered cap engaged with the compression cap in cushion relation to said endportion of the bunch; the compression cap bearing adjacent its lower end with the sides of the can, and the cushion cap bearing on the adjacent end of the can.

11. An asparagus pack comprising, in combination 'with a can closed at opposite ends, a plu rality of asparagus stalks bunched side -by side in the can lengthwise thereof, a tapered cap engaged over the tip end portion .of the bunch of asparagus stalks, in compressing relation theret0, and another tapered cap engaged with the compression cap in cushion relation to said end portion of .the.bunch;.the compression can bearing adjacent its lower end with the sides of the can, and the cushioncap bearing on the adjacent end of the can; the cushion cap being on thesame taperbut of slightly less diameter, at corresponding points, than the compression cap whereb the upper ends of said caps remain separated.

'12. An asparagus pack comprising, in combina. tion with a container closed at opposite ends, a plurality of asparagus stalks bunched side byside in the container lengthwise thereof, and separate retaining means embracing substantially the entire tip end portion of the bunch of asparagus stalks in compressing relation; said retaining means being of moisture-proof parchment-like material.

13. An asparagus pack comprising, in combination with a container closed at opposite ends, a plurality of asparagus stalks bunched side by side in the container lengthwise thereof, a tapered cap surroundingthe asparagus tips in compressing relation, said cap bearing in part against the sides of the container to prevent lateral displacement of the bunch, and another tapered cap engaged on said first named cap and bearing against the adjacent end of the container in cushion relation to the bunch.

ROSCOE C. ZUCKERMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS [Number Name Date 1,262,289 Weber Apr. 9, 1918 1,630,888 .Brown, May 31, 1927 

